02/04/2022
🥑🐶🥑To Eat or Not To Eat?
Avocados are probably the most sought-after fruit in South Africa, but is it safe for dogs to consume?
Dr. Karen Becker gives a thorough explanation on the health benefits Avocados has for dogs.
Having dogs and a fruit baring Avocado tree, the health benefits are evident in my own dogs. Just be sure to feed Avocado in moderation to avoid your pooch picking up a few extra grams over Avocado season!
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IS YOUR DOG’S COAT DRY & DULL? SHE MAY BE MISSING THIS IMPORTANT BRAIN-PROTECTING FAT FROM THEIR DIET!🥑🐶
Often a poor or dull hair coat is a sign of insufficient healthy fat or consumption of low-quality fats. Including raw, unprocessed fats in your pet’s diet is important for general health. One type of these “good” fats are monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), also known as omega-9s or “oleic acid”. Avocados are chock-full of oleic acid (also found in olive oil 🫒), and also loaded with folate, and vitamins B and E, all of which help support healthy skin. Adding a small amount of avocado to your dog’s diet is a good way to provide them with the healthy fats needed to maintain healthy skin and coat, but studies show may also help protect and improve brain function!🧠
Research finds MUFAs help protect a group of brain cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes are not only important for normal brain function, they also help repair and regenerate nerve cells that have been damaged due to toxins or inflammation. In a 2012 animal study, MUFA’s improved the brain’s ability to control muscles in animals that had impaired mobility due to damaged astrocytes. In addition, these cells play a key role in driving the master circadian clock in the brain. Protecting these brain cells is vital for your dog’s nervous system and circadian rhythm (the sleep-wake cycle).☀️🌑
This green fruit also boasts significant amounts of vitamin C and potassium, plus a lot of pre-biotic fiber for a healthy gut! And emerging research shows that avocados, rich in the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, also benefits eye and joint health. With a whole list of health benefits, it’s clear why this fruit is considered one of the most powerful superfoods!
How avocados got a bad rap with pets:
1. the pits are choking hazard: don’t offer whole avocados to dogs
2. the skin and pit of avocados contain a substance called persin that can cause GI upset for your whole family (2 and 4 legged), so don’t feed your family these parts these inedible parts. Avocado flesh is safe and healthy for you and your dog (click the link in the comments👇 to read the latest safety study and watch our FB live about the topic).
👉HOW TO FEED: Remove the pit, skin and stem. Mix a small amount of avocado flesh in with your dog’s food, use the cubed fruit as training treats, or smear a wedge the size of an orange slice approximately 1 ounce (40 calories), for every 40 pounds of pooch onto a lick mat daily.
You can read more about avocados, other food myths, and our favorite longevity-promoting superfoods, herbs, and supplements in our book The Forever Dog. You will also find how much to feed and how to incorporate them into your dog’s diet! www.foreverdog.com
